Flu virus is running rampant locally and Gaston Memorial Hospital is restricting people ages 12 and under from visiting hospital patients.

The majority of this season’s flu cases treated at the hospital are children ages infant to 12 years, prompting GMH to temporarily restrict kids that age from visiting friends and family at the hospital.

Anyone, of any age, with flu-like symptoms should also not visit hospital patients at this time, hospital officials said. Some are being treated in the emergency room for the virus and then, depending on the severity of illness, either released or admitted.

Immune systems in children and older adults are not as strong, making those people more susceptible to contracting the flu.

Hand-sanitizing stations are set up at Gaston Memorial Hospital to help people prevent the spread of germs.

Local cases spiraling

The lab at Gaston Memorial has seen 99 positive flu cultures in less than a month.

During last flu season from October 2011 through March 2012, the lab only saw 11 positive cultures and the dramatically higher number this year has local health officials warning about the virus and how to prevent it from spreading.

Gaston County Health Department is urging people to receive a flu shot. Public information officer Shannon Clubb said the department has administered 3,096 flu shots in the past two months. That number nearly reaches the total flu shots given from October 2011 to June 2012.

Clubb said she doesn’t get the impression that people are scared but that they’re being cautious by receiving the flu shot.

“In a way, we’re encouraged by that because people are taking action,” she said. “We’re glad that they’re getting flu shots. That is your number one best defense on the flu. The staff feels like we’re seeing more children with flu-like symptoms than we did at this point last year.”

The health department has conducted 278 rapid flu tests in the child health clinic this year, compared to 172 last year. Some of those tests do come back negative.

Flu prevention

State Health Director Laura Gerald said flu activity across North Carolina is at the highest levels recorded in the past decade, and 12 flu-related deaths have already been reported, including one in the Charlotte area. The deceased are adults and all but one had a pre-existing medical condition.

Gerald strongly recommends everyone over 6 months old to receive the flu shot, available at numerous locations including doctors’ offices and pharmacies.

Shots are also given with no appointment required at the Gaston County Health Department, 991 W. Hudson Blvd., Gastonia, and the Highland Health Center at 609 N. Highland St., Gastonia. Flu shots cost $30 and pneumonia shots cost $79. The health department accepts Medicaid, Medicare and some private insurance plans. Officials remind patients to bring their insurance cards with them and a nasal spray vaccine is offered instead of a shot.

Page 2 of 2 - Clinical services at the Gaston County Health Department are closed until Thursday. The department is also closed on New Year’s Day.

Flu symptoms

Typical flu symptoms include fever of 100 degrees or higher and any of the following:

- Cough and/or sore throat

- Runny or stuffy nose

- Headache and/or body aches

- Chills

- Fatigue

- Nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea (most common in children)

Precautions to take

For those trying to ward off the flu, hospital officials encourage taking these precautions:

- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or a shirt sleeve when you cough or sneeze. Dispose of the tissue in a trash receptacle after each use.

- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can also be effective.

- Avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth, as these areas are vehicles for germs to enter the body.

- Avoiding close contact with symptomatic individuals when possible.

- Contact your health provider or the Gaston County Health Department for the flu vaccine.